Nina Sky

Identical twins Natalie and Nicole Albino came up with the name Nina Sky by combining the first two letters of their first names for "Nina" and tacked "Sky" on the end to represent their shared aspirations. The teen pop duo grew up in the borough of Queens in New York City. Their stepfather was a DJ and introduced the young girls to a variety of music. Singing was always important to them, eventually so important they announced their desires to become professional singers to their parents. With their parents support the girls auditioned for the production team the Jettsonz. Impressed, the Jettsonz introduced the girls to hip-hop producer Cipha Sounds. Sounds suggested the girls write a song to the dancehall reggae riddim "Coolie Skank." They wrote the party number "Move Ya Body" over the riddim, and when a demo reached Next Plateau/Universal Nina Sky were quickly signed. Rhythm and urban radio stations were quick to add the song to their play lists and the twins got to work on their album. Their self-titled debut hit the stores in June of 2004. ~ David Jeffries